SAG-AFTRA Board Urges Single Health, Pension Plan

The National Board of Directors of SAG-AFTRA on Sunday approved a motion calling for the trustees of the two unions' pension and health plans to create a single plan for all of the members.

The overwhelmingly vote (99.47%) directed the union and industry trustees of the SAG Producers Pension and Health Plans (“P&H”) and the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds (H&R) to forge a unified health plan for performers, broadcasters and others working under SAG-AFTRA contracts.

In the interim, a reciprocity agreement between the two existing Health Plans, the board said. The board also urged the trustee to explore the feasibility of creating a unified Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and reciprocity agreement between the existing Pension and Retirement Plans.

The meeting Sunday was the second session of the weekend and was held via video conference with board members gathering in New York and Los Angeles.

At Saturday's session, the national board unanimously approved the first industry-wide music video agreement.

The major record labels signed on, including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, EMI Music and The Walt Disney Co. and most of their subsidiary labels.

The contract officially takes effect on Monday. It's the first major contract negotiated by SAG-AFTRA, which was created this year when the Screen Actors Guild merged with its smaller sister union.

The board also opted out of early talks with producers on a new commercials contract and will instead likely open negotiations early next year.

SAG-AFTRA Co-Presidents Ken Howard and Roberta Reardon called the meeting to order in honor of SAG-AFTRA members who have passed away since the last meeting followed by a special moment of silence for the victims of the attack in Aurora, Colo.

Reardon and Howard said, “We are shocked and shaken by this tragedy and send our thoughts and prayers to the loved ones of those who lost their lives or were injured. Theaters are the heart and soul of our art. It’s where people who love movies gather to share our stories, and in some undefined but meaningful way, spend time with us. That is a strong bond and we honor it.”